A message from Interim Co-Secretary Generals, Claire Nylander and Mandeep Tiwana
Dear CIVICUS members, partners, and allies
We write to you amid the immense disruptions caused by the arbitrary suspension of development aid by the new administration in the United States. Over the past month, we have heard harrowing testimonies from civil society colleagues around the world about the stoppage of life affirming work and the insecurity felt by vulnerable communities.
But amid the chaos and cruelty, we have also witnessed civil society coming together through inspiring acts of solidarity. Many of us are thinking deeply about how to overcome the current moment while urging private philanthropy to rise to the occasion and support locally led development.
If you or your organisation are impacted by the US funding cuts, please take a few minutes to share ideas with us in a survey on what we can do together to overcome the challenges posed.
- English: https://nam.dcv.ms/Wz1uCwfNiz
- French: https://nam.dcv.ms/GAqvaUc3GV
- Spanish: https://nam.dcv.ms/i5Habqw3Cg
Key highlights from our teams
International Civil Society Week: Save the date
We are delighted to announce that the next International Civil Society Week (ICSW) will take place from 1-5 November 2025 in Bangkok, co-organized by CIVICUS and the Asia Democracy Network. Under the theme “Celebrating Citizen Action: Reimagining Democracy, Rights, and Inclusion for Today’s World,” ICSW will bring together activists, civil society organizations, and allies for a week of learning, strategizing, and co-creating solutions to global challenges.
At a time when civic freedoms are under attack, ICSW will serve as a platform to strengthen civic space, amplify grassroots movements, and mobilize for inclusive and resilient democracies. Save the date and stay tuned for more updates!
Launch of the EU System for Enabling Environment Digital Hub
The European Union System for an Enabling Environment for Civil Society (EU SEE) was launched on January 29 in Johannesburg. The initiative will be implemented by civil society in 86 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. At the heart of this initiative is the EU SEE Digital Hub. It is an interactive early warning and monitoring system that will document real-time shifts, deteriorations, or improvements, in the enabling environment for civil society across 86 countries.
This hub will provide data and analysis on:
- key legislative changes affecting civil society;
- new threats, attacks, or restrictions on civic actors;
- trends and opportunities for civil society strengthening; and
- best practices in advocacy and resilience-building.
Donor Challenge
We are thrilled to share that the Donor Transformation Challenge is back! The challenge seeks to break down barriers between grassroots changemakers, funders, and allies by fostering deeper, more meaningful connections and solidarity. Each month, we will feature a challenge to encourage meaningful connections with courageous changemakers. We invite you to embark on this transformative journey with us. Share your reflections and challenges using #DonorChallenge.
Narratives Network launch
Earlier, in February we launched the Communicators for Civic Action network to strengthen pro-civic space narratives, counter misinformation, and amplify grassroots voices. This dynamic network will bring together communicators, journalists, and narrative builders to innovate, localise, and expand the reach of people-centered stories that highlight the impact of civic action. Through collaboration, capacity-building, and digital literacy efforts, we aim to foster greater solidarity and ensure civil society thrives.
Call on the situation in the DRC
On 7 February, the VUKA! Coalition for Civic Action hosted a solidarity call on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It was an initial step to explore what the Vuka Allies could do in response to the situation. Participants had the opportunity to engage in discussions, and partners were invited to join the conversation to strengthen collective efforts.
WeRise Campaign: Call for proposals
We have launched a call for proposals for the second cohort of the WeRise Campaign, which promotes and protects the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly (FoPA) as a fundamental right. The call will support 16 CIVICUS members across four regions to design local campaigns within a global Freedom of Peaceful Assembly (FoPA) framework. Focus areas include the impact of criminalisation and violence on protests, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital surveillance in repression, and innovative approaches to peaceful assembly. We encourage you to submit applications by 15 March.
Innovation Awards Launch
The Nelson Mandela-Graça Machel Innovation Awards applications opened on February 12, 2025. Named after Nelson Mandela and Graça Machel, the awards support grassroots initiatives through seed funding, communication opportunities, and networking. The awards highlight the power of justice, freedom, and collective action in driving social change. This year's Innovation Awards are extra special as we mark two decades of this transformative initiative.
2025 has started with a spate of bad news. Ruling by diktat and communicating through grand gestures is a classic strategy used by authoritarian populists and aspiring dictators. Even if we are inundated by bizarre pronouncements, the trick is not to accept the abnormal. A lie does not become the truth even if it is repeated multiple times. At CIVICUS, we refuse to give in to hate filled narratives that deny people’s humanity.
We remain steadfast in our belief that through civil society and citizen action, a peaceful, just, equal, and sustainable world is possible!
